Before I get too deep into what life has looked like in Turkey, I wanted to take a moment to look bak in thankfulness at all the Father did during my time in Central America, so enjoy this little recap!
San Pedro Las Huertas, Guatemala
January 12 – March 5
Host: Iglesia del Destino- Rachel and Nolo Garcia
Team: Lindsey, Alli, Alayna, Scott, Ari, Aaron (Team MOM)
What marked this country?
– Leading worship at Worship Room
– Sabbath Dinner as a team with Rachel, Nolo, Selvin, and Gabby (the whole fam)
– Coffee at Bella Vista while the sun was setting behind Fuego
– Candlelight dinners and teamtime
– The incredible acoustics in the house for jammin’ out
– The water bottle game
– Three Beauty for Ashes events
– A random beach trip with the whole fam
– Discovery of Chikys, especially the Cappuccino flavored ones
– I saw my first healing miracle
– Getting baptized in the bathtub
Ultimately, my time in Guatemala the beginning of the radical transformation of my heart that is still in process today. God began to do a mighty work in me that I never imagined He would do. These months I learned to trust the Father fully and to press into the work that He’s doing because it is G O O D.
Jacó, Costa Rica and San José, Costa Rica
March 5 – May 7
Host: Ocean’s Edge- Hannah and Averie
Host: ‘Til He Returns – Micah, Melissa and their team
Team: This was all squad month(s), but each team rotated out of our ministry in Jacó to partner with another organization in San José. I was still with Team MOM, but we switched Ari out for Brandon!
What marked this country?
– Most of my time here was spent working on a personality assessment.
– I discovered COCONUT Chikys
– The burger challenge at Ridiculous Burger
– Being with a gap year squad
– A thirty minute walk to church every Sunday
– Leading worship with in ear monitors for the first time
– Experiencing serious spiritual warfare in the Big Yellow House
– Learning submission to authority even when I might disagree
– Debrief at a Christian Summer Camp
– Leading worship with Ella Rose McCook at Horizon Youth
– Cooking dinner for the whole squad
My time in Costa Rica was rather difficult, but I’m thanking the Lord for the Challenges that arose because the drove me into deeper dependence on Him.
Sosuá, Dominican Republic
May 7 – June 6
Host: ATL (Ask The Lord)
Team: Jerome, Justin, Jacken, Josiah, Kevin, Scott, Brandon, Tito, Aaron (Papa Smurf)
What marked this country?
– Making a safety video with the boys
– Manistry.
– There are no Chikys in the Dominican Republic
– Doing the Daniel Fast with Justin and Jacken
– Fasting my voice for two days
– Jerome’s commentary during movie nights
– Sand Volleyball
– That first sip of coffee with Jacken and Justin after the Daniel Fast was over at Velvet Cafe
– Snorkeling on adventure day
– Praying for a man at our worship night to be filled with the Holy Spirit
– Being back in a country that I’ve traveled to before and realizing that it CAN be a whole different experience.
The Dominican Republic was a neat time of growth for me. I fell madly in love with the Jesus that the Bible knows. He brought me to an understanding that I’d fabricated my own version of Jesus that exists for me and answers to me. Then I crushed that idol and asked Him to reveal who HE truly is.
I had no desire to be in Central America for any portion of my life, but my time here on the Race was a gift that only Pops knew that I needed. I’m so insanely thankful for how He reroutes us in life even if it can seem like such an annoying Dad move at first. 😉
Thanks for tuning in!
I love you.
AWM
this is beautiful, Aaron.